News Broadcasting
Network18 announces key elevations, re-organises revenue function
MUMBAI: Network18, one of India’s most diversified media conglomerates has been strengthening its revenue team ever since Joy Chakraborthy took over as President- Revenue for TV18 and CEO-Forbes India, a year ago. Moving ahead in this direction, it has recently re-organized the leadership roles within the function by announcing key elevations.
Commenting on these elevations, Joy Chakraborthy said, “In the past one year, we were able to utilize and leverage strengths of our network, leadership and people with a cohesive sales structure. For the new fiscal year, we are geared up to look at newer opportunities and face different challenges. Keeping in line with our strategy to move ahead, we feel it is imperative to re-jig leadership roles to make the most of individual forte, team and network strengths in extracting our best from market situations and opportunities.”
Mukund Setlur takes on the role of National Sales Head for News18 India, IBN Lokmat and CNBC Bajar, utilizing his vast knowledge and experience of selling the 13 ETV News Channels nationally as well as from his successful stint at leadership position with the erstwhile IBN7 (now News18 India).
Sudip Roy will be in charge of ETV News Channels’ sales as National Sales Head bringing in his experience to extend ETV news network’s business onto the next level. Amit Tripathi who currently leads the sales team for Government businesses of TV18 channels as well as that for the Hindi speaking markets for ETV News channels, will now also manage government businesses of language channels under the ETV News Network.
Sonia Kapoor, in addition to being National Sales Head for her present Focus portfolio comprising CNBC- TV18, CNN News18, Moneycontrol, Forbes India and Firstpost, will also head Focus nationally for CNBC Awaaz, CNBC Bajar, News18 India and IBN Lokmat.
News Broadcasting
India Today Group debuts AI anchor ‘Sutra’ at AI Impact Summit 2026
Sutra aims to simplify live policy debates using sovereign AI models
NEW DELHI: India Today Group has unveiled Sutra, an AI-driven news anchor designed to deliver real-time, contextual reporting, marking the group’s latest push to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream journalism.
The AI anchor was introduced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi and developed in collaboration with BharatGen, with the initiative showcased by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
India Today Group said Sutra is built to navigate complex policy discussions and fast-moving developments by synthesising information into concise, accessible insights, aimed at narrowing the gap between high-level debates and public understanding. The AI anchor was used to surface live takeaways from key sessions at the summit.
India Today Group chief AI officer Nilanjan Das, said the project was focused on clarity and accessibility without diluting editorial rigour. He added that working with BharatGen aligned the group’s AI ambitions with India’s broader push towards sovereign technology capabilities.
BharatGen CEO Rishi Bal, said the partnership reflected a shift from basic automation towards deeper contextual intelligence in media. He emphasised the importance of indigenous, multimodal AI models capable of understanding Indian languages, regional dialects and cultural nuance, particularly as AI-driven news formats gain traction.
The launch positions India Today Group among the first major Indian media houses to deploy an AI anchor backed by home-grown technology, underscoring a growing convergence between journalism, public policy and sovereign AI infrastructure.
